Contents
Janet Gaynor
Becoming the first winner of the best-actress Academy Award.
Sunrise and 7th Heaven · A Star Is Born
- Born
- 6 October 1906
- Birthplace
- Philadelphia
- Died
- 14 September 1984
More people
Janet Gaynor
American star whose success crossed from silent cinema into sound films.
Early life
Early performing
Born in Philadelphia, performed in school plays and graduated from high school in San Francisco before moving to Los Angeles.
Career
- 1924
Screen work
Began as an extra in a comedy short.
- 1926
Fox contract
Signed with the studio after The Johnstown Flood.
- 1929
First Oscars
Won the inaugural best-actress award.
- 1939
Retirement
Stepped away from regular film acting.
Selected work
Sunrise and 7th Heaven
Two of the performances recognised by her Oscar.
A Star Is Born
Earned a further Oscar nomination.
Beyond work
Painting and family
Married costume designer Adrian and had a son. Later pursued oil painting.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and career ↗Biographical references ↗Original photograph. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
Photo: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.